Get Fit for Summer

Game 7: Go Pistons

Hello friends, hope you all have a great week. Mine not so bad even though I don't have a computer for a whole week...sad...but I survived! Hubby said he will order parts today or tomorrow and hopefully I'll have my computer back next week.

Anyway, here's some great tips for the summer and don't forget to read your astrology :-) ... I am a SCORPIO.

Does thinking about bathing suit weather make you want to jump back into your oversized wool sweaters? Is spring passing way too quickly for you? Have you not yet lost the ten pounds you gained over the holidays? Don't panic!

As we get older, it gets harder and harder to shed winter weight gain. And, with our increasingly busy schedules, it gets more difficult to discipline ourselves to prepare healthy meals or go to the gym. And there is no guarantee of success.
Yet even when we fail, there is always hope that the next brainchild of an ambitious doctor has the final answer as to how not only to take off unwanted pounds, but to keep them off.

Which is the right nutritional program for you? The Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Beverly Hills Diet, the Blood Type Diet, etc., etc.? Undoubtedly you know someone who knows someone who shed fifty, sixty, even a hundred pounds on one of these programs. But you also know that for every successful person, there are probably two dozen others who lost a few pounds, then reached a plateau and gave up - and then went on to gain back every ounce.

The problem is often that fad diets place too many limitations on people. First of all, the same diet never works for everybody, because each individual's body chemistry is unique. Secondly, the menus presented are often so boring, that whenever dieters hit a plateau, they don't think it worthwhile to continue eating nothing but meat, nothing but fruit, nothing but brown rice, nothing but cabbage. So they quit, and whatever metabolic processes the diet has triggered cease - which means no more weight lost and a slow-but-sure regain of all the unwanted pounds.

The same can be said for exercise programs. For those who enjoy working up a sweat through vigorous exercise at the gym, this can produce great results. Others, who are more restful souls, prefer more contemplative programs such as yoga or Tai Chi. Still others love to swim laps or run through the park, enjoying the beauties of nature. The more you enjoy a specific mode of exercise, the more likely you are to stick to it. But create a mismatch - and you'll be lucky to last a week.

For the most part, the only program practically guaranteed to produce results for all is the directive, "Eat less, exercise more - and be patient." Luckily, astrology can give us a boost! Here is a general guideline demonstrating what might work best for natives of each Sun Sign:

Aries: (March 20 - April 18)
You might be lucky enough to reach your fitness goal by simply cutting out bread and taking up jogging. Most Aries have a high rate of metabolism, and they love going fast. But it's difficult for you to be patient. Just remember, Aries: If you keep this up, you'll look extra hot for summer.

Taurus: (April 19 - May 19)
Dieting is tough on you, dear Taurus. You love food, especially sweets, and while you're not lazy, exercising is NOT your favorite pastime. For you, a diet plan involving smaller meals allowing a few sweets, coupled with yoga, Tai Chi, and/or a 15-minute walk each day could slim you down - surely but slowly.

Gemini: (May 20 - June 20)
The Twins go like racehorses, and operate mostly on nervous energy. Therefore, a diet/exercise program that relies less on speed and more on building strength, such as protein and weight training, could generate sufficient endurance to see you through hours of beach volleyball.

Cancer: (June 21 - July 21)
You love to cook, Cancer, and to sample your wares while preparing them! Avoid temptation by adopting a nutritional program involving pre-measured, prepared meals. For exercise, try yoga and aerobics videos at home alone. You're not yet comfortable scantily clad in front of others.

Leo: (July 22 - August 21)
If you try to become slim and fit overnight, Leo, you're in danger of failure, because you'll surely cheat. You're in a hurry to look your very best, but you enjoy food too much to cut your calorie intake too low. Be patient and take it slow. Taking up running or swimming might help.

Virgo: (August 22 - September 22)
Health and fitness probably aren't much of a problem for you, Virgo. You don't put on weight easily, and you're conscientious about fitness. For variety, try another dietary regimen and a new exercise program. It might make more of a difference than you'd think.

Libra: (September 23 - October 22)
Balance is your keyword - and when striving for fitness, remember that, Libra. You might work out like an Olympian one moment, and totally quit the next, scarfing down sweets and vegging out in front of the TV. Adopt a program that's reasonable. You'll be more likely to succeed.

Scorpio: (October 23 - November 21)
When you work towards health and fitness, Scorpio, you're capable of cutting down to just enough to keep you alive. But if you do what many Scorpios do to stay fit - embrace the martial arts - you'll need to eat more. You'll never get that black belt if you're starving.

Sagittarius:
(November 22 - December 20)
You're athletic, Sag, and are usually pretty fit. But you probably eat a lot as well, and in spite of your activities, you probably did gain weight over the winter. Avoid weight training and concentrate on running, swimming, and doing the treadmill. For food: concentrate on fruits and salads.

Capricorn:
(December 21 - January 18)
You alternate between eating hardly at all and feasting on gourmet foods - and you almost never find time to exercise with your busy work schedule. However, in summer, the pull of the beaches may be too strong to resist for the Sea Goat. Change your habits. Eat healthy. Walk at least twice a day - perhaps to and from the office.

Aquarius: (January 19 - February 17)
Adventure is your game - and that includes your fitness programs. Exotic foods from faraway places are especially appealing to the Water Bearer, and any outlandish sort of exercise seems the perfect way for you to get in shape. For summer fitness, indulge in lighter faire from around the world, and try a group exercise program to feed your love of people.

Pisces: (February 18 - March 19)
Your biggest challenge is that you tend to retain water. To increase your fitness level, Pisces, avoid excess salt - and, oddly enough, drink plenty of water. Concentrate on fruits and vegetables, and for exercise, yoga by far suits your temperament well. A walk each day would also make a huge difference. Remember: you are ruled by the feet - so splurge on some great walking shoes!

Have a great weekend and God Bless!